Release Detail

November 17, 2004 - Corzine has Big Early Lead in New Jersey Gov Race,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Codey Also Tops GOP Contenders

Sen. Jon Corzine is the odds-on favorite in an early look at the 2005 New Jersey
governor's race, topping any names on a list of the top Republican contenders by at least
20 percentage points, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

"The poll suggests Sen. Corzine would probably win the governorship today in a
landslide," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling
Institute. "Acting governor Codey is less well-known, but also leads all Republican
contenders and has six months in office before he faces a Democratic primary."

"Schundler and Forrester are the leading Republicans only because they have run
statewide before and are better known," Richards added.

In a Republican primary, Schundler leads with 34 percent, followed by 19 percent
for Forrester, 12 percent for Christie and 11 percent for Allen.

Taxes, especially property taxes, are the most important issue in New Jersey, 28
percent of voters say, followed by 10 percent who say the economy, especially jobs.

By a 73 - 20 percent margin, New Jersey voters say it's a good idea to amend the
state constitution to create the office of Lieutenant Governor, elected as the governor's
running mate and becoming governor if the governor is unable to complete the term.

Voters also say 79 - 9 percent that it's a good idea to convene a constitutional
convention to restructure the property tax system. But by a 41 - 38 percent margin,
voters would rather have the State legislature reform the property tax system.

In a final measure of former Gov. James McGreevey, voters have a split opinion,
with 44 percent approving of the job he did as governor and 47 percent disapproving.
Thinking about how history will judge McGreevey as governor, 4 percent of voters say
"excellent;" with 38 percent who say "good;" 29 percent who say "not so good," and 24
percent who say "poor."

"With sharply divided approval ratings, James McGreevey has a fighting chance
of not being remembered only for the scandal that drove him from office. His split
approval rating doesn't look so bad when compared with Gov. John Rowland, who left
office in Connecticut earlier this year with a negative 27 - 66 percent approval."

From November 9 - 15, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,235 New Jersey
registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.1 percentage points. The survey
includes 814 registered Democrats, with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percentage points,
and 623 registered Republicans, with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida
and nationally as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks or call (203) 582-5201.

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way James McGreevey is handling his job
as Governor? (*Nov 17, 2004 ...the way James McGreevey handled his job as Governor?)

14. (If registered Republican)If the Republican primary for governor were
being held today and the candidates were Douglas Forrester, Bret Schundler,
Diane Allen and Christopher Christie for whom would you vote?
(* Subgroup is too small to report accurately)

18. Some people have suggested amending the state constitution to create an
office of lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor would be the governor's
running mate and become the governor if the governor is unable to complete
their term. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?